Ning stood completely still, however, his face showed a little bit of surprise as he asked, "My beast? Did your fellow disciple tell you about him?"
Faran's chest moved up and down as he tried to catch his breath, yet his face still didn't show any emotion. "I saw how scared they were. It must be a really strong beast, other than the beetle you have," he said.
"Yes, my beast is strong, but he's not in the condition to be called out right now," Ning said. Faran's face immediately darkened. It was almost like he was disappointed a little.
"Haha! But if you really want to fight one of my beasts, I can help you with that. You see, I just recently acquired a new beast, and… well, I haven't had the opportunity to use him yet. In fact, I haven't had the time to even name him."
"Let's see… I will just call him Blue for his skin color. So, what do you say? Do you want to fight blue?" Ning asked.
Faran got back into his attacking stance as Spear Intent rose off of him. "Do not disappoint me," he said.
Ning smirked a little. "As you wish. Come out, Blue."
Blue light suddenly flashed as a large beast appeared on the stage. The blue beast looked like a snake to the people with its large body that had scales all over it.
However, when they saw the head, they showed fear. It had the head of the fabled True Dragons.
"That's… that's the monster from the lake," Faran said with a trembling voice. "Ho— How did you tame such a beast?"
Ning didn't answer the question; instead, he asked his own. "Are you disappointed yet? How about you help me test how good this beast of mine is."
"Why. Did. You. Call. Me. Master?" The Flood Dragon spoke as he looked at the different people around him. However, what should be like words to Ning, sounded like beastly screams to the rest of the people.
"He called you out," Ning said as he pointed towards Faran.
Blue slowly moved his head as he looked straight at Faran. Seeing the large lizard-like eyes blink scared him very much. The handle of the spear dropped from his right hand and hit the floor with a ting sound.
The Flood Dragon breathed warm air into his face as it said, "It. Is. You." However, to Faran, that just sounded like normal growling.
Faran was unresponsive. He had no idea what he could even say in this situation. Not only was the beast 2 realms higher than him in terms of cultivation base, but it also had a very high defense, which he knew from his fight 2 days ago.
Aside from that, just the fact that it was in some way, a Dragon that was going to fight him, scared him the most.
Ning didn't bother waiting any longer and said, "Finish him."
WHOOSH
A massive blast of water erupted from Blue's mouth and hit Faran. Before the water could even touch him, however, he disappeared and appeared elsewhere away from the stage.
The water blast however kept on flying until it reached the audience. The different sect masters of the sect seating in that general area immediately put up a barrier of their own.
Even then some of the water spilled through and hit the audience. It didn't hold the same power, however.
The sheer power of the attack left the audience in shock. Ning put his spear back into his storage space and walked up to blue. He gently caressed his scales and said "Good Job, you can go back in now."
"But. Master. He. Survived." Blue said.
"That's okay, he hasn't done anything bad yet," Ning said.
"But. He. Tried. To. Steal. My— "
"GO BACK!" Ning commanded with a stern voice. Blue immediately complied and went back into Ning's beast space. He sighed and looked at the audience who looked at him like he was a monster.
He then turned to the host who also was similarly befuddled and said, "Aren't you going to announce the result?"
"Oh Y-Yes. You Win," the host finally spoke and then addressed the audience.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, here we have the winner of the Triennial Tournament, Ning Ruogong."
The audience didn't react at all. They were still in shock. Ning looked at the whole crowd yet not a single person seemed to be themselves right now.
CLAP CLAP
A set of claps rung out amongst the audience. Ning looked towards the person who clapped and smiled. It was Kaezir who had come out of his shock and started clapping.
Mikaela who had been sitting next to him also started clapping.
Hijaka started clapping next followed by a massive clap and cheer from the people of Deepskull island. They were genuinely happy at the result. Following them, everyone except the dazzling sect clapped.
Ning ignored the claps of the others he didn't care about and walked up to the host. "I have rewards right?" he asked.
"Y-Yes, of course. We always give rewards to the winners," the host said.
"Good, give it to the people from Deepskull island," Ning said.
"That's your island right?" the host asked, and Ning nodded.
He then walked into the audience. However, he didn't go to Gion and Yelca, he instead went to Hijaka.
Hijaka walked out from his group and went to Ning. "Inikaka, is something the matter?" he asked.
"I came here to let you know that I am leaving now. I will come to visit sometime soon. If you meet Hyesi, tell him to stay alive until then," Ning said.
Hijaka nodded and thanked him.
Ning then walked up to Kaezir and Mikaela.
" Mr. Kaezir, I am leaving. Thank you for everything you did for me," Ning said with a bow.
"Umm, that's alright, but why are you leaving? Are you ill? I can help you," Kaezir said, not really understanding what was going on.
"Haha, no. I'm not just leaving the arena, I am leaving the Scattered Isles itself," Ning said.
"You might not remember it as it was a small event for you, but you once saved me in the forest back in Starsight city when I had just arrived from Klavis. I will never forget that. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you."